VVAmore | Blog | Handmade Handbags

Re-launch of our website!

Sarah — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:04:09 +0000

Well, it’s been some time in the making but we have finally organised our new website based on feedback from our customers. You said you wanted an easy to view shop where you could see all our handmade handbags in easy to find categories. Well we hope that this is what we have done. Simply select by handbag type and browse our designs. We have also added in some accessories that we think will be fab with your handbag, we intend to keep adding to this section so make sure you pop back on a regular basis. Got to go now and actually sell some of these handbags!

Trends for the Autumn/Winter 2010 Season

Sarah — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:53:52 +0000

Fashion has matured; at least that’s what the autumn/winter 2010/11 catwalks are saying. The girlie tea-dresses and gladiator sandals are gone and have been replaced with heavy fabrics such as velvet and suede, leather and wool. It also looks to be a season where accessories such as handbags and jewellery will share a larger portion of the limelight and it will be just as important to be on-trend with your outerwear as it will be with what lies beneath it.

As far as handbags go, a leather satchel is an absolute must. This season, work wear becomes eveningwear and the sexy school teacher is very much a key look to aspire to. Keep colours simple, black and brown work best, but look for straps and buckles to spruce this look up a little. Check out our messenger bags for some really solutions!

Other handbag styles will have some sort or ruffling or studding, many will have corsages and lace interwoven into the fabric and suede and floral will be key materials to look out for – check out some of our vintage styles in our shoulder handbags. Jewellery this winter is designed to make a big and bold statement. It is colourful and highly pattered. Jewels and beads are everywhere and the brighter the better. In keeping with a 1940s and 1950s feel that will be dominating the high street in the weeks and months to come, pearls, flowers and diamante are also features to look out for.

This week 1 March

Sarah — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:54:15 +0000

Well at almost at the end of this week and what have I got to report for VVA? Well we had our first wholesaler deal completed which is pretty groovy. No idea if we will get any sales but how cool is it to be on an Italian Handbag website! Total!

Sold 3 bags to friends of friends this week which is great as they were all handbags that I needed to remake so that I can improve the photography on the website. Mattie, my website designer and guru photographer has built a tent and revolving handbag stand that we can use to make our photos look a 1000% better! Trouble is my samples are looking a bit worn so I have decided to bite the bullet and remake them! It will take time though.

Uni was cool, so much bag talk. Hazel at www.accessory-addict.blogspot.com has made some great new jewellery and the handbags that are coming out of the course are cool. Holly is doing a great job assisting us! I have completed all the patterns and cut out one of the smaller handmade handbags which I am going to make up. I will put some photos up so you can all see what it turned out like!

VV Amore selling at Ceraborse.com

Sarah — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:44:00 +0000

Well its weird but great as well. I have been trying for ages to get my handmade handbags featured on UK handbag websites but to no avail just now – sites like “not mass produced” (still evaluating us) and “kittyandpolly” (not this season to full) are just not biting, but hey then along comes an Italian company who wants to feature my handbags! So my first wholesale deal has been done. Time will only tell. You can check us out on their site using the link below but if you wanna buy a bag go direct!

http://www.cercaborse.com/visumarche.php?visu.29.0

VV Amore featured on BagStage Blog

Sarah — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:45:27 +0000

Well here’s a new one for VV Amore, our handmade handbags are being featured on the German BagStage blog run by Nani Coldine. Check out her report on on our handbags: http://bagstagereport.blogspot.com/2010/02/handbagdesigner-interview-vv-amore.html

And the Pattern gets Made!

Sarah — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:44:03 +0000

And so the pattern has been created. You would think it would be easy, but hey if it was we would all be experts. I have made the pieces, cut them out and joined them so that I create a paper handbag! Not much use I hear you shout, but the thing is I can do this without cutting expensive leather or fabric and that way I know the handmade handbag will actually work or if not I can make appropriate changes. Good news though this time – it worked- first time no less! Which is just as well since I have made a few patterns these days. So here is what the pattern looks like: Notice how I have written notes on the pattern pieces. I made these notes when I was fitting the pieces together. This will help me remember certain things when I come to make up the handbag.

So I am going to now design two more like this so that I can get a little style collection going. Then I am going to cut out the fabric with leather – since this is for my fabric handmade handbag making class. Watch this space for how the pieces made up!

Tuesday is Uni Night

Sarah — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:44:24 +0000

So its back to Uni for me tonight at the Met. Enjoying a course in making handmade fabric handbags and even though I find I know more than I thought its great to be spending time with like minded and passionate baggers! Lots of chat about the latest trends and pooling ideas on where to buy all the bits you need to make handmade handbags. Having completed my first unisex messenger handbag I am back on to designing a new handmade handbag for the VV Flip collection. A smaller fold over flip bag to compliment the range. Check out these rough sketches below. I am still musing about how I can attach a pocket that is actually a clutch bag. Finding the right way to attach the pocket clutch is proving harder than I thought. Will just have to keep thinking and sourcing!

Tonight I am going to make this as a pattern so that i can start cutting. Watch this space!

Handmade Unisex Messenger Bags

Sarah — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:33:02 +0000

Our first unisex handmade messenger bag! Chunky and very functional in delicious hardwearing Italian leather teamed with canvas interiors, this bag will last you a life time – not that we think you should make that happen! Asked by one of my friends to make him a hardworking messenger bag for his computer I set off on the task and here is the result. Plenty of pockets – one zipped on the back and 2 on the front with 2 more inside, providing you with oodles of places to keep your gear. A very sturdy adjustable strap (long enough for across body or shoulder holding) attached to heavy duty ‘D’ rings ensure that your guy or girl stuff is travelling in style. Width – 32 cm by 32 cm high with an 11 cm run round gusset. This bag fits a lap top computer easily and leaves loads of space for other essentials. Made in black or american tan and at £150 this is a must have messenger bag! Go lust…

Lush New Handmade Handbag

Sarah — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:06:03 +0000

Here at VV Amore we have been thinking hard about what new handmade handbag we should create. Well we have come up with a fabulous and very lush handbag for your loving! Is it a shopper, a messenger or is it a clutch? Well actually its all three. In true VV Amore style we have created a totally functional handbag for our VV Flip range. Made in patent leather and zebra skin this handmade handbag is totally versatile. Wear it across your body, on your shoulder, or carry it in your hand! There is 1 zip pocket inside plus 2 slip pockets and the lining is in delectable leopard print. At £140 its one of the most useful handmade handbags we have designed!

Busy Busy and Happy Xmas

Sarah — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:47:55 +0000

Well its been a wonderfully busy year here at VVA. We are delighted that so many of our customers have enjoyed their handmade handbags this year. We are delighted as well to keep creating them. We hope you like the updated website that we think will make it easier to view our handbags. We will also be launching a new product section in the new year that will make viewing our handmade handbags even easier.

All that remains to say is have a wonderful xmas and new year. Enjoy the season and look out for our new handmade handbags in the new year – we have a few varieties coming in the VV Flip range! Happy Xmas all!